Operating a successful eCommerce website follows a different set of rules to running a traditional B2B website. Much like a physical retail store, there are a lot of elements to consider in order to make it successful. In bricks and mortar retail, store owners are continuously improving the in-store experience to entice customers to buy, and the same should go for online retailers, says Kevin Traynor, Service Provider for InterTradeIreland’s E-Merge programme and founder of Grow Consultancy.

To get you started, here are five fundamental tips that you can use to optimise your eCommerce store for success.

InterTradeIreland is looking for companies with innovative solutions that solve existing industry level challenges.

Expressions of interest are welcome from small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) interested in delivering a game changing cross-border partnership. InterTradeIreland's Impact Programme will facilitate the collaboration and provide funding to solve industry challenges, primarily to companies working in advanced manufacturing, the bio economy or life sciences.

The project will not only deliver long-term commercial benefits to the partners involved but also create wider economic benefits for both economies on the island. If you are interested in delivering a game changing cross-border partnership, express your interest before 5pm on 12th November 2021.

There has never been a better time for firms across the island to access the public procurement market. Opportunities are at an all-time high and frameworks are more accessible than ever before, with SMEs making up 70 per cent of all framework members.

InterTradeIreland's Go-2-Tender programme helps firms to improve tendering capability through practical workshops and 1 to 1 company specific mentoring packages. The Go-2-Tender workshops help businesses to analyse the public sector market and consider the most appropriate bids to pursue. Along with supporting mentoring packages, they also support businesses to develop stronger bid content to improve the “win rate.”

Watch the short video below to find out how Go-2-Tender helped CTS win an NI Water contract.

Congratulations to the 25 regional finalists in this year’s Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition. Companies have been shortlisted based upon their business plan and a visual representation of their idea, so well done to everyone who has reached this crucial stage.

The 25 up and coming companies from across the island will now go head to head in the regional finals, where the eight winners will take home €20,000 and progress to the all-island finals on 25th November, to be in with a chance of winning €100,000. 

Dundalk Chamber Skillnet has announced details of a brand-new part-time QQI Level 6 certificate programme in Fundamentals of Blockchain which launched in September 2021. The new one-year programme is open to individuals from a variety of sectors seeking to improve their knowledge of blockchain. 

Alongside stakeholders, the course development included input from the IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and The Fintech Corridor - an industry representative group funded by InterTradeIreland.

Women's Enterprise Day took place earlier this month. To celebrate the achievement of female entrepreneurs across the island, we spoke to Emer Flannery, founder of Kocoono about starting her own business, the support she received from InterTradeIreland, as well as the advice she has for aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Watch the short video below to hear her story: